Deadline today for voters to register

October 16, 2012

WHEELING - West Virginia residents needing to register to vote in time for the Nov. 6 election must do so by the close of business today.

Registration applications can be filled out at local courthouses, and voters registration offices can be reached at the following numbers: Brooke County, 304-737-3661; Hancock County, 304-564-3311; Marshall County, 304-845-1220; Ohio County, 304-234-3750; Tyler County, 304-758-2102; and Wetzel County, 304-455-8224.

Voter registration applications also can be mailed to county clerks or the West Virginia Secretary of State's Office, but they must be postmarked by today to be accepted.

Secretary of State Natalie Tennant said new voters who do register by mail to vote need to bring with them to the polls a current photo ID that shows their current address, or one of the following: a copy of a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and current address.

"This ID requirement only applies to you if this is your first time voting after you registered by mail to vote," Tennant said. "If you have voted before, your identity is verified every time by your signing the poll book either at your polling place or at your early voting location."

There were 1,234,457 registered voters in West Virginia as of Oct. 2, according to figures compiled by the Secretary of State's Office. Among them are 637,893 registered Democrats; 354,593 Republicans; 217,585 registered with no party affiliation; 1,345 Mountain Party members; and 23,041 registered with another political party.

Early voting begins Oct. 24 across West Virginia, and includes two Saturdays: Oct. 27 and Nov. 3. There will be no early voting Oct. 28.